Busy times ahead: Legal representatives for Stephen Dank will be spending plenty of time in court in the coming weeks. Photo: Getty Images

A separate matter is listed the following Monday against the Cronulla Sutherland District Rugby League Football Club, in which Dank's legal team will appeal against a previous decision by Justice McCallum to dismiss the matter and force the plaintiff to pay costs.

It is understood the case centres around allegations that Dank administered ''horse drugs'' to players in comments attributed to a former club official.

The Sharks have already spent almost $1.5 million responding to the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation, predominantly in legal and public relations fees, says last year's annual report.

That number will climb considerably higher if Dank's action is successful.

Advertisement

The Sharks have another pressing challenge to overcome with financial implications. After accepting a $1 million fine from the NRL for its role in the supplements saga, the club has the opportunity for $400,000 of that sum to be suspended if it complies with corporate governance changes outlined by the governing body.

The NRL said it was in regular discussions with the Sharks in regard to a review of the club by an independent expert it had approved of, which had to be completed by July 31. The club would then have until December 31 to implement any reasonable recommendations made by the review.

“We will continue to work with the Sharks to meet these deadlines,” the spokesman said.

It's hoped Cronulla and AFL club Essendon are just a month away from learning whether ASADA will lay charges over the supplements scandal. Former Federal Court judge Garry Downes was due to hand in his report to ASADA by the end of last month, a deadline which lapsed during the week, while new AFL boss Gillon McLachlan said on Tuesday: "My best understanding is that decisions around show-cause letters, or not, will be in the back half of May."

That timeline could potentially have an impact on the opening game of the State of Origin series, at Suncorp Stadium on May 28. ASADA chief executive Aurora Andruska will retire at the end of the week.

The Sharks are expecting to welcome back coach Shane Flanagan by mid-September after he chose not to appeal a one-year suspension for his role in the scandal, which will be cut to nine months should he fulfil obligations outlined by the NRL.

The only player from either code handed an infraction notice, former Canberra three-quarter Sandor Earl is still waiting for his hearing nine months after his provisional suspension commenced.

Earl is hoping for a 75 per cent discount in his sanction for providing reasonable assistance, which would result in him being allowed to return to football within 12 months. However, there are fears he could serve that time before a hearing date is even set.